Sunday, May 11, 2025

11/05/2025 Trying to catch up!!!!

 The maximum temperature in the Charente today is 19⁰C, minimum 11⁰C. 18 - 38 km/h South/West winds.  I measured 3 mm of rain in the rain gauge this morning, and there looks like there is another 5mm or 6mm in it now.  Very welcome as the garden was dry.

Single tree peony flower.  I was sold this as a Blue Phoenix, but I am sure it is not, it should be much darker.

Small White (Pieris rapae) Piéride de la rave on Herb Robert (Geranium robertianumGéranium Herbe à Robert.

Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) Lézard des murailles, taking a drink in the late evening sun.

As above.

Speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) Tircis.

Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) Pic épeiche.  My apologies for taking a photo on the feeder, but it was the only chance I had!

European Longhorn (Eucera longicornis) Abeille à longues antennas on Borage (Borago officinalis).

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus) Grande chélidoine ou Grande éclaire.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax or Wall cymbal (Cymbalaria muralisCymbalaire des murs.

Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) Jacinthe des bois, ou Jacinthe sauvage, with a Heineken Fly (Rhingia campestris) Rhingie long-nez.

As above.

Greater stitchwort (Stellaria_holostea) - Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).
Long-leaved lungwort (Pulmonaria longifolia) -  Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius).

Brown lipped snail also called a Hedge snail (Cepaea-nemoralis) Escargot des bois.

Sunset.

Logan berry flower with a Bee, an ant and a tiny fly.  ID not confirmed

Heineken Fly (Rhingia campestris) Rhingie long-nez.

California poppy or American poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) Pavot de Californie.

Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum cautum) Chrysotoxe prudent.

Soft-leaved cranesbill (Geranium molle) Géranium à feuilles molles.

 I am assuming this is one of the Robber flies with its prey, which I also presume is a cranefly - any further ID would be appreciated. The flower is from the Red Robin (Photinia Fraseri).

Blue Field ForgetMeNot (Myosotis arvensis) Myosotis des champs.

Bee on the Red Robin (Photinia Fraseri). Possibly a Western Honey bee (Apis mellifera) but I think it is too dark.

One of the Robber flies may be (Empis tessellata) Empis marqueté.

Common wasp, I think (Vespula vulgaris) Guêpe commune.

The caterpillar of the Lacky Moth (Malacosoma neustria) Livrée des arbres...

As above

Wild flower Red Valerian (Valeriana rubraCentranthe rouge.

My telescopic lens has now been sent to Paris for a service, so photos will be very limited until it is returned. Apart from that, the garden is very demanding so my time is short!!!
I will visit you all when I can, you are not forgotten!!!


19 comments:

  1. I am especially interested to see Small White on Herb Robert, Diane. Both are found here so we share this sight in common. Out of mere curiosity I will go through my pictures to see if, by chance, I have a similar image. Don’t fret over catching up. We’re always glad when you have a chance to blog. Your pictures are an inspiration to us all. Bonne journée, bonne semaine et gros bisous - David

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    1. Thanks David for being so understanding. The days are hardly long enough anymore, and as I get older, I think things now take me longer!! I do take a photo of something daily for the record, but I am now missing my telephoto lens. Paris have received it, but we were waiting to be told what needs to be done and of course the expense involved! It would be interesting if you have a similar image to the Small White and the Herb Robert. The latter is very pretty but it is also very invasive! Bonne semaine, jours heureux, bisous Diane

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  2. That sunset is gorgeous! A lizard in your garden? The colour and pattern of that caterpillar is fascinating. You took some really great macro photos.

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    1. Thanks Angie and yes we have lots of lizards in the garden. I hope all is well, take care Diane

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  3. So many great shots of your garden critters.

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    1. Thanks Pam, always good to hear from you. Cheers Diane

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  4. Great photos as usual. I especially like the snail and the lizard. The blooms are way ahead of ours! Good luck with the lens.

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    1. We have had a quote on the lens and given them the go-ahead but have heard nothing since. Thanks for the comment, Diane

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  5. Hi Diane - the photos are extraordinary ... I love seeing them ... lots to see and explore. Gorgeous ... the Heineken fly's name bemuses me ... I hope your lens is easily repaired and doesn't cost too much. I can understand your thoughts about time and becoming somewhat slower - or wanting to take a minute off! I do hope things are easing ... much the same here - life goes on ... your temps today are much the same as ours. We've had some rain ... not enough, but at least a good shower. Take care and with thoughts to you both - cheers Hilary

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    1. Sorry Hilary it has taken me a while to get back here!! I wonder which was named first the fly or the beer! The lens is not cheap but cheaper than buying a new one. We have told them to go ahead, but have not heard anything back since!!! We are very dry here. Two mm last night had absolutely ne effect on the garden! Keep safe and well, cheers Diane

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  6. Always such fabulous photos and ID names. Don't stress about catching up.

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    1. Thanks Diane I am not sure I am ever going to catch up but...... Thanks for visiting and the comment, t'other Diane

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  7. Me encanta pasar por aquí, creo que tenemos muy parecidos gustos por toda la naturaleza. Las fotos todas preciosas. Besos.

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    1. Gracias Teresa, ojalá tuviera más tiempo, pero el jardín me exige mucho, al igual que la casa y la cocina. ¡La espalda de mi esposo se está recuperando muy lentamente! Saludos, Diane.

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  8. Great set of pictures - and it's clear that spring is well underway. Also very jealous of the Hawfinch in the earlier post!

    Cheers - Stewart M - just back from Europe!

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    1. Thanks for the visit Stewart. It is starting to warm up at last, but the stone house is still very cold! Cheers Diane

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  9. Wow! I am blown away by all this beauty. What a lovely garden.

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    1. Thank you Yvonne, I do love our garden, but it is quite big and hard work :-))) Thanks for the visit and the comment, Diane

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  10. Always a pleasure to stop by and see what treats you have in store for us. A brilliant series of visual delights. Thank you Diane!

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